My dad. Immigrant, Minority, Veteran, Trump Voter

[spin]

160. I held a government security clearance for four decades before I retired. ...

I handled classified information on a daily basis.

Therefore I do know this. If I would have been caught removing classified information from the work area or if it would have discovered on my unauthorized home computer I would have been prosecuted and likely fined and sentenced to a considerable amount of time behind bars.

That's the way the system works for most people who have a security clearance. It's not a right wing talking point. It is fact.

Sailor in classified sub photos case gets 1 year in prison
By JOSH GERSTEIN 08/19/16 06:32 PM EDT

A Navy sailor who admitted to taking photos in classified spaces on board a nuclear submarine was sentenced Friday to one year in prison and six months of home confinement.

The sentence imposed on Petty Officer First Class Kristian Saucier, 29, was significantly lighter than prosecutors' recommendation that the former sub machinist serve more than six years behind bars and the Navy's suggestion he get seven-and-a-half years.

***snip***

Saucier was indicted last year on one felony count of retaining national defense information without authorization and another count of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said a series of photos he took with a cell phone camera on board the U.S.S. Alexandria in 2009 included at least six images considered classified "Confidential" and restricted under the Atomic Energy Act.

In a plea bargain in May, the sailor pled guilty to the classified information charge. The obstruction-of-justice charge was dismissed, but Saucier admitted destroying a laptop, memory card and camera after he was confronted by investigators.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2016/08/sailor-in-classified-sub-photos-prison-227211

Back when I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era we were prohibited from taking pictures of the aircraft we worked on sitting on the flight line. The pictures would have shown the antennas on the aircraft which would have revealed much about the mission she was designed for. We were told that if we were caught with these photos we would face jail time.

I have no desire to see Hillary prosecuted for negligently handling classified information and would actually like to see Obama pardon her on his way out the door of the White House so prevent any possibility of Trump harassing her.

However I can't honestly say based on my own personal experiences with handling classified information that this entire email scandal was simply an attempt by the Republicans to ruin Hillary's chances to win the election. I'm sure the Republicans hoped she would be charged but realistically that would have led to a constitutional crisis. I hate to say this but I seriously believe that if Hillary would have been just one of the "little people" she would have been indicted and convicted.

I'm now 70 years old and have enjoyed watching the game of politics for my entire adult life. I've discovered that in our system the rule of law does not apply equally to all. At a certain high level of government you can get away with a lot more than you can as an average citizen. This has happened in BOTH Republican and Democratic administrations. Our system is far from perfect. I also don't expect that it will ever change.